If you’ve been on Instagram or TikTok lately, chances are you’ve seen someone raving about the ‘clean girl aesthetic’. One of the latest style trends to emerge from social media, the clean girl aesthetic is a movement spearheaded by Instagram and TikTok fashion influencers and the fashion It Girls of the moment, Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner. Unlike previous trends that dominated the social stratosphere such as Barbiecore which saw social media influencers and fashionistas rocking an abundance of hot pink or the reemerging Indie Sleaze of the early 2010s that saw us sporting bowler-style hats and a lot of layered jewellery, the clean aesthetic is much more pared back.
So, what is the clean girl aesthetic exactly?
In a world where there is so much excess and everyone likes to be bold, the clean girl aesthetic is a much-needed return to simplicity. Going back to basics so to speak. With more and more people being conscious about the clothes that they wear on their backs and the accessories they chose to purchase for sustainability and financial reasons, the clean girl aesthetic is a way of life as much as it is a fashion trend. What constitutes a clean girl aesthetic is a less-is-more approach, meaning fewer trend pieces, less jewellery and accessories, along with an emphasis on beauty and taking care of yourself. People who embrace the clean girl aesthetic are not only employing a more sustainable and money-savvy capsule wardrobe built on conscious styles and basic essentials, but they are opting for less glamour.
Characterised by timeless gold jewellery, casual and comfortable dressing, a “no makeup” makeup look, slicked-back hair and glossy or natural-coloured lips, there are so many different approaches to the clean girl aesthetic. Read on as we unpack the many ways you can nail the clean girl aesthetic with the right jewellery and accessories.
Overview:
Less Is More
The mere definition of a clean girl aesthetic is less is more. That means fewer bulky rings and chains or gaudy earrings, and more dainty necklaces with fewer pieces overall. Not only do those who acquire the clean girl aesthetic opt for fewer pieces and less over-the-top glamour, but they also swap out trend pieces in favour of more classic jewellery staples. If you’re eager to apply this aesthetic in your daily life, avoid heavy earring styles such as chandelier and drop earrings in favour of subtler, more comfortable styles such as threader earrings, huggies, hoops, sleepers and stud earrings.
With your neckwear, stay away from enlarged Figaro chains, long pendants and over-the-top bib necklaces. Instead, try elegant gold curb chains, timeless initial necklaces and floating necklaces such as diamond pendants, heart-shaped pendants and singular stone-set pieces. You should also keep your wristwear to a minimum of two bracelets or even consider investing in a sophisticated dress watch. If you wear rings, stay away from gaudy cocktail-style rings and try signet rings instead, or try layering a few smaller gold rings together.
Sterling Silver Gold Plated White Cubic Zirconia Fancy Ring
$29.99
This Sterling Silver Gold Plated White Cubic Zirconia Fancy Ring will certainly add some sparkle to your day. The feature is in the symmetry of shapes that cover the top of the gold-plated band. A stunning row of round and… read more
Hoops, Huggies & Sleepers
Those that subscribe to the clean girl aesthetic in their daily lives rarely have overdone hair that looks like they’re ready to attend some fancy function. A clean girl often prefers natural and relaxed hair that sits softly behind their ears and out of the face, or slicked back and tied up in a casual bun. The hair is kept neat, and clean and not filled with too much product that can damage it. So, by default earrings are often the go-to aesthetic to complement this hairstyle. And often, hoop-style earrings are part of the equation of embodying that clean girl aesthetic. Especially if you are keen to keep your accessories to a minimum.
Whether it's fancy hoop earrings, subtle sleepers or a casual pair of huggie earrings, hoop styles are key to keeping your jewellery looking classic. It doesn’t matter if you are reaching for plain gold styles, playful stone-set styles, heavily embellished styles or diamond earrings, not only do sleeper earrings, hoops and huggies have a forever classic shape, but they are pretty much all you need to dress up your look-particularly hoop and huggie earrings. A favourite since the mid-1970s, hoop styles are only becoming more popular with no signs of going away anytime soon. So, it is safe to say a great pair of hoops will go a long way in your clean girl aesthetic-friendly wardrobe.
9ct Yellow Gold Silver Filled Plain 6x20mm Hoop Earrings
$119.50
$239.00
Finished in 9ct gold-fill, the smooth gold earrings are simple and chic. In 20mm; they are the perfect everyday earrings, and a wardrobe necessity.… read more
Gold Jewellery Is Always A Winner
Much of the clean girl aesthetic is about building that capsule wardrobe that you can keep regenerating in countless ways for many years to come. It is about avoiding fast fashion trend pieces that won’t go the distance, and instead, opting for well-made, often sustainable and classic pieces that go with everything. Thick comfortable straight blue jeans, soft cotton tees, classic oversized blazers and the old faithful pair of white trainers. As a result, people naturally tend to gravitate towards neutral tones such as white, black, grey, beige, nude and khaki green to maximise the versatility of the pieces in their wardrobe.
Gold jewellery, namely, yellow gold jewellery has always been key to the clean girl aesthetic. Not only does gold pair seamlessly with neutral tones, but it provides you with a timeless and very polished look. Whether you opt for a pair of gold earrings, a gold chain and matching gold bangles or a layered gold pendant look, you can be assured that this luxurious and shiny hue will instantly uplift your look. Another upside to gold is that it is very durable and hypoallergenic in some circumstances, meaning that you can wear it without the worry of tarnish and any sort of discomfort. When styling your gold pieces, just remember to limit yourself to three or four pieces in keeping with that clear girl aesthetic.
Daniel Wellington DW00100622 Quadro Link Gold Tone Womens Watch
$279.00
$339.00
Daniel Wellington DW00100622 Quadro 5 Piece Link Edition Gold Tone Womens Watch - Stainless Steel Case & Bracelet - 26mm Case Size - 2 Year Global Warranty … read more
Opt For Dainty Necklaces
Much like hoop-style earrings, necklaces are another way to instantly dress up your look. Particularly, the clean girl aesthetic. However, people who tend to embrace the clean girl aesthetic do so by avoiding clutter and feeling too overdone. The necklaces that you wear are key to avoiding clutter as certain styles that people wear do have the tendency to overwhelm and distract from what you are wearing or make it feel too busy. Hence why many jewellery and fashion lovers will tell you that dainty necklaces and pendants are the way to go when it comes to embodying the clean girl aesthetic in your day-to-day.
Fortunately, there are countless dainty pendants and necklace styles out there that will help you nail that clean girl aesthetic while at the same time, helping you build your forever jewellery collection. Personalised necklaces such as initial pendants and zodiac necklaces are a popular choice for those looking for daintier styles as you will never get tired of wearing something that symbolises you. Pay tribute to y2k fashion trends with a cross necklace or a sweet heart pendant. Try adding some sparkle with a floating zirconia pendant or diamond necklace. And maybe add some colour with gemstone necklaces or a pendant adorned with your birthstone.
Gold Plated Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Coloured Zirconia Necklace 40-45cm
$329.00
Brighten your everyday look with this colourful Gold Plated Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Coloured Zirconia Necklace 40-45cm. Set with five vibrant zirconia stones, this yellow gold plated necklace is full of sparkle. Its intricate chain links are designed… read more
